Lydia's short term memory is improving. Today, as soon
as she was finished school, she asked Grandpa, "Can we go to Tim Horton's?"
There is a Tim's kiosk in the hospital. She remembered that Grandma and Grandpa
often take her for a smoothie and a Boston Cream donut at the end of her school
day. (Now we know why Lydia is gaining weight around her middle!!!) Lydia is
also remembering who has visited her, or who she has seen or met. Her nurses
are delighted that she remembers their names.
This morning, before breakfast Lydia didn't want to go
for a walk, like she usually does, she wanted to go for a run! Then she thought
she wanted to do some hurdles! She does not lack ambition, just balance and
coordination! James tried to facilitate this request, but they both ended up on
the ground after the attempt. Lydia requires support walking, so it was a short
lesson in the need to be able to walk before she can run. The dream of seeing
her run and play soccer is perhaps in her heart too.
This morning, I texted to James "I love you, James
Herrle!" Lydia read my text and asked James to type a reply for her: "I love
you, Michelle Herrle, who is married to James Herrle, who is my dad."
Cherished words. It is life giving to be able to communicate, to give and
receive.
We observed Lydia pulling her bed covers up over herself
on the weekend. This was the first we had seen of her being able to do that.
Previously, we would tuck her in, and make sure her covers were over her, to
keep her warm. This image has been strongly contrasted in our minds with
another image, that of Lydia in ICU at Sick Kids, lying on a cooling pad, with
bags of ice packed around her. She is motionless, and covered with only the
smallest rectangle of sheeting - a pillow case sized cover; bare arms and legs
exposed, neck in a brace, tubes in her chest, nose and head, abrasions on her
toes, eyes sightless when opened to do a pupil dialation check . Contrast these
two images, and you can give thanks with us, for how far our girl has come.
Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayers, and healing Lydia.
Thank you for your prayers. There is still much to
regain, but much has been recovered. We celebrate this progress.
